Solar Energy in Toms River, NJ: Leading the Charge Toward a Brighter, Cleaner Future

Solar Energy in Toms River, NJ: Leading the Charge Toward a Brighter, Cleaner Future

Meta Description: Discover how solar energy in Toms River, NJ is transforming homes, businesses, and public infrastructure while saving money, cutting emissions, and creating local jobs.

Toms River, a coastal township in Ocean County, New Jersey, has emerged as one of the state’s most active communities when it comes to embracing solar energy. With residential rooftops gleaming with photovoltaic panels, schools slashing energy costs through large-scale installations, and a massive solar farm built atop a former Superfund site, the story of solar in Toms River is both dynamic and deeply local. As state and federal incentives encourage further adoption, and as grid modernization evolves, Toms River is not just keeping pace—it’s setting the standard.

High Adoption Across Sectors

Residential Solar Growth

Toms River is home to one of the highest residential solar adoption rates in New Jersey. As of the late 2010s, approximately 2,738 homes in the township had solar panels installed, generating about 20.8 megawatts (MW) of power. The average residential solar system in the area is around 7.6 kilowatts (kW) in size, a substantial installation capable of offsetting 100% of a typical home’s electricity consumption.

What began as a few pioneering systems has snowballed into entire neighborhoods where solar panels are a common sight. Homes in areas like North Dover and Silverton are now dotted with installations, showcasing the growing normalization and desirability of solar energy among homeowners.

Commercial and Public Installations

Local businesses and government facilities have also invested heavily in solar infrastructure:

• Toms River Regional School District: Installed a 6.2 MW solar array across 13 schools and facilities. This system covers approximately 40% of the district’s total electricity needs and has saved over $12 million in energy costs within 15 years.
• Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority (TRMUA): Added a 120 kW rooftop system to its headquarters in 2017. This installation produces about 143,000 kWh per year, supplying around 67% of the building's annual electricity usage.

Landmark Utility-Scale and Community Solar Projects

Perhaps the most striking example of Toms River's solar commitment is the 28.9 MW Toms River Solar Farm, constructed on a 117-acre Superfund site formerly used by Ciba-Geigy. This ground-mounted array is New Jersey’s largest, capable of powering roughly 5,250 homes and offsetting around 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

A portion of this solar farm—5 MW—is dedicated to community solar, allowing around 720 households, over half of whom are low- to moderate-income, to benefit from discounted solar credits. The program offers approximately 21% savings on electricity bills.

Notable Solar Installations Table

Favorable Solar Conditions and Capacity

Solar Resource Strength

Toms River enjoys moderate to high solar irradiance levels. Systems typically produce between 1,400–1,500 kWh per year per installed kW. A 10 kW home system can yield roughly 14,600 kWh annually, equating to daily averages of 40 kWh and covering nearly all residential usage.

Rooftop and Land-Based Potential

Most homes in Toms River have unshaded, south-facing roofs that are ideal for solar. Beyond rooftops, large parking lots, warehouses, and underutilized industrial parcels offer additional space for ground-mounted or carport installations. The successful transformation of the Ciba-Geigy site into a productive solar farm is a leading example.

Incentives Driving Adoption

The surge in solar projects can be directly tied to a robust stack of federal, state, and local incentives:

• Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC): A 30% tax credit on solar installations, saving thousands on upfront costs.
• NJ SuSI Program: Pays ~$85 per MWh of solar generated, guaranteed for 15 years. These Renewable Energy Certificates provide consistent income.
• Net Metering: Allows solar customers to earn full retail credit for surplus electricity sent back to the grid.
• Sales and Property Tax Exemptions: Solar installations are exempt from both sales tax and any increase in property taxes due to added home value.

Solar's Economic Engine

Residential and Commercial Savings

Toms River homeowners are saving tens of thousands of dollars in electricity costs over the lifetime of their systems. With payback periods between 6 to 8 years, solar is not only an environmental choice but a financial one.

The school district’s solar project is a perfect illustration: $12 million saved over 15 years, plus critical roof replacements completed without additional taxpayer burden. Local businesses are also seeing their utility bills slashed, improving profitability and operational stability.

Job Creation and Local Investment

Solar adoption has generated substantial employment opportunities in Toms River. Local companies, like PowerLutions Solar, have expanded operations to meet demand. With more than 6,600 solar jobs in NJ, a growing share of them are anchored in Ocean and Monmouth counties. From system designers and installers to administrative and sales roles, the clean energy economy is a source of skilled, non-exportable employment.

The Toms River Solar Farm alone injected approximately $40–$50 million in private capital into the community, employing nearly 100 union workers during construction.

Environmental Restoration and Impact

Emissions Reductions and Cleaner Air

The solar infrastructure in Toms River is preventing an estimated 40,000+ metric tons of CO2 emissions annually. That’s equivalent to removing 6,400 vehicles from the road. By reducing the township’s reliance on fossil fuels, solar helps improve air quality and contributes to New Jersey’s long-term climate goals.

Habitat Restoration

The BASF solar site includes thoughtful landscaping, including wildflowers and grasses to support pollinators and native species like the grasshopper sparrow and the northern pine snake. It turns a once-contaminated area into a habitat haven.

PowerLutions Solar: A Key Local Player

PowerLutions Solar, a NABCEP-certified installer based in Lakewood, NJ, has played a pivotal role in facilitating Toms River’s solar transformation. Offering turnkey services—from design and permitting to installation and maintenance—the company has built a strong reputation for quality and customer satisfaction.

PowerLutions is active in community education, hosting events, publishing blogs tailored to Toms River residents, and assisting clients in navigating the complexities of incentives and rebate applications. Their team provides a personalized experience for each installation, ensuring the system is optimized for maximum benefit.

A Vision for the Future

The solar landscape in Toms River continues to evolve. As new technologies such as battery storage and EV charging become more mainstream, the township is well-positioned to remain at the forefront of New Jersey’s renewable energy transition.

Toms River stands as a case study in how strategic policy, community engagement, and local industry collaboration can turn clean energy from an ideal into a reality. With every new panel installed, the township strengthens its grid, reduces its carbon footprint, and builds a more resilient, sustainable future.

In the years to come, Toms River won’t just be remembered as a place with a large solar farm. It will be known as a community that led by example—home by home, school by school, and watt by watt.